Sensors

The common purpose of a sensor is to “sense” when something is happening. A sensor can detect when a door is being opened in a vehicle, when a conveyor belt is in motion or when a temperature reaches a certain level.

Gyro and tilt sensors are used to determine when an object is in a certain location or at a certain angle. For instance, a gyro sensor on an airplane tells the pilot whether he’s flying level or not. Combined with computer technology, sensors and accessories have the ability to report on all kinds of important operations and they can record them and send a report back to the user.

Sensing technology can be and is often embedded in the design for a wide range of equipment and machinery. It provides critical data to the user in real time so that adjustments can be made for optimal efficiency. Many machines could not operate correctly without sensors, as with the sensors on automobile airbags. A sensor lets the airbag know when to inflate.

Factory equipment utilizes all types of sensors in its various operations. They can be built into machinery to activate a specific action that should be completed once other tasks have been finalized. Sensors and accessories can detect moisture, pressure, temperature and many others. The common sensor is used today in thousands of different ways by the healthcare industry, pharmaceutical monitoring, industrial operations, automotive manufacturing and aerospace.

Accessories include many important components that are necessary for the sensor to function properly. An optical mirror, for instance, can detect when there’s a change in light, such as lighting that comes on in response to darkness. An airbag timer is used with sensors in airbags to instigate or delay the opening of an airbag. Lasers can also be helpful in projecting straight lines for proper alignment of other objects.